In Baptism, we acknowledge nothing to be used except the element of water only; that the Word and declaration of the promises ought to precede we have already said. Wherefore, whosoever presumeth in baptism to use oil, salt, wax, spittle, conjuration or crossing, accuseth the perfect institution of Christ Jesus of imperfection; for it was void of all such inventions devised by men. And such as would presume to alter Christ's perfect ordinance you ought severely to punish.
The Table of the Lord is then most rightly ministered when it approacheth most nigh to Christ's own action. But plain it is that at that Supper, Christ Jesus sat with His disciples, and therefore do we judge, that sitting at a table is most convenient to that holy action; that bread and wine ought to be there; that thanks ought to be given; distribution of the same made; and commandment given that the bread should be taken and eaten; and that all should likewise drink of the cup of wine, with declaration what both the one and the other is, we suppose no godly man will doubt. As touching the damnable errors of the Papists, who can defraud the common people of the one part of that holy Sacrament, to wit, of the cup of the Lord's blood, we suppose their error to be so manifest that it needeth no confutation; neither yet intend we to confute anything in this our simple confession; but to offer public disputation to all that list to oppugn anything affirmed by us.
That the minister break the bread and distribute the same to those that be next unto him, commanding the rest, every one with reverence and sobriety, to break with other, we think nighest to Christ's action, and to the perfect practice of the Apostles, as we read it in St. Paul. During this action, we think it necessary that some comfortable places of the Scriptures be read, which may bring in mind the death of Christ Jesus and the benefit of the same; for, seeing that in that action we ought chiefly to remember the Lord's death, we judge the Scriptures making mention of the same to be most apt to stir up our dull minds, then and at all times. Let the discretion of the ministers appoint the places to be read as they think good. What times we think most convenient for the administration of the one and of the other of these Sacraments shall be declared in the policy of the Kirk.
III. Touching the Abolition of Idolatry.
As we require Christ Jesus to be truly preached, and His holy Sacraments to be rightly ministered; so can we not cease to require idolatry, with all monuments and places of the same, as abbeys, monasteries, friaries, nunneries, chapels, chantries, cathedral kirks, canonries, colleges, others than presently are parish kirks or schools, to be utterly suppressed in all bounds and places of this realm, except only the palaces, mansions, and dwelling places adjacent thereto, with orchards and yards of the same. As also that idolatry may be removed from the presence of all persons of whatsoever estate or condition within this realm.
Let your honours be assuredly persuaded that where idolatry is maintained, or permitted where it may be suppressed, there shall God's wrath reign, not only upon the blind and obstinate idolater, but also upon the negligent sufferers of the same; especially if God have armed their hands with power to suppress such abomination. By idolatry we understand the Mass, invocation of saints, adoration of images, and the keeping and retaining of the same: and finally all honouring of God, not contained in His holy Word.
IV. Concerning Ministers and their Lawful Election.
1. In a Kirk reformed or tending to reformation, none ought to presume to preach, or to minister the Sacraments, until they be called to the same in proper form. Ordinary vocation consisteth in election, examination, and admission; and, because election of ministers in this cursed Papistry has altogether been abused, we think it expedient to treat of it more largely.
It appertaineth to the people, and to every several congregation, to elect their minister. And in case that they be found negligent therein the space of forty days, the best reformed kirk, to wit, the church of the Superintendent with his Council, may present unto them a man whom they judge apt to feed the flock of Christ Jesus, who must be examined as well in life and manners, as in doctrine and knowledge.